DESCRIPTIONChinese lespedeza is a warm season, perennial herbaceous plant. It has an erect growth form, ranging from about 3 to 5½ feet in height, and leaves that alternate along the stem. Each leaf is divided into three smaller leaflets, about ½ to 1 inch long, which are narrowly oblong and pointed, with awl-shaped spines. Leaflets are covered with densely flattened hairs, giving a grayish-green or silvery appearance. Mature stems are somewhat woody and fibrous with sharp, stiff, flattened bristles. Small (about ¼ in.) creamy white to pale yellow flowers emerge either singly or in clusters of 2-4, from the axils of the upper and median leaves.

ECOLOGICAL THREATChinese lespedeza,
sometimes called sericea lespedeza, is primarily a threat to open areas such
as meadows, prairies, open woodlands, wetland borders and fields. Once
it gains a foothold, it can crowd out native plants and develop an extensive
seed bank in the soil, ensuring its long residence at a site. Established
dense stands of lespedeza suppress native flora and its high tannin content
makes it unpalatable to native wildlife as well as livestock.

DISTRIBUTION
IN THE UNITED STATESChinese lespedeza occurs throughout much of the eastern U.S. from Minnesota
to Texas east to New York and Florida.

HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATESChinese
lespedeza can grow in a variety of habitats including severely eroded sterile
soils. It will invade open woodlands, fields, prairies, borders of
ponds and swamps, meadows, and open disturbed ground, but is intolerant of
shade.

BACKGROUNDChinese lespedeza is native
to eastern Asia and was first introduced to the southern United States. Widespread
use of lespedeza by federal and state agencies for bank stabilization, soil
improvement, wildlife and forage and cover, and hay facilitated its spread
throughout the eastern United States.

BIOLOGY & SPREADChinese lespedeza
begins growth from root crown buds at the base of last year’s stem. The
flowers begin to develop in late July and continue through October. Within
the Lespedeza genus there are no specialized structures for seed dispersal. Dispersal
is aided by animals consuming the fruits and passing the seeds. A study
on natural populations found that several species of Lespedeza comprise 1.5%
to 86.8% of the annual diet of bobwhite quail in the southeastern U.S. Autumn
dispersal is aided by the haying of infested fields.

Scarification is necessary for the germination
of lespedeza seeds. Mature seeds of this genus remain viable for up
to twenty years; one study found a germination rate of 60% after cold storage
for 55 years. Seedlings may represent only 1% of the seeds actually
available in the soil.

MANAGEMENT OPTIONSMechanical and chemical
methods are the most effective options currently available for Chinese lespedeza. Hand
pulling is impractical due to lespedza’s extensive perennial root system. Mowing
plants in the flower bud stage for two or three consecutive years may reduce
the vigor of lespedeza stands and control further spread. Plants should
be cut as low to the ground as possible and impact to adjacent native plants
should be minimized as much as possible.

Since root reserves increase up to the flower
bud stage, all herbicide treatments should be completed in early to mid summer. The
addition of a non-ionic surfactant at a concentration of 0.5% improves
the effectiveness of foliar treatments. Triclopyr and clopyralid have
been shown to be effective in controlling Chinese lespedeza. A 2% solution
Triclopyr or 0.5% solution of clopyralid throughly mixed with water is effective
during the vegetative stage prior to branching or during flowering. Treatments
should cover the leaves and stems of plants to the point of runoff. These
herbicides are not labeled for use in wet areas or adjacent to streams. On
wet sites a 2% solution of glyphosate is effective from last June until seed
set.

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS.

NOTICE: MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

CONTACTS For more information on
the management of Chinese lespedeza, please contact: